With a choice between red, black, or blue, the JBL Xtreme allows you to connect three different devices via Bluetooth at once. Even crazier is that you can wirelessly connect three of the speakers to get some insane sound.

Though you can’t submerge this thing in the ocean for an underwater listening experience, you don’t have to worry about it being splashed or spilled on.

Even with the small size, the overall sound, especially the bass, can get so loud that you can feel it. That’s the power of dual passive speakers. It’s like having a full size boom box in your possession.

If you’re not trying to ball out on the JBL Xtreme, but still want a
quality beach speaker this is definitely the next best thing.

Insanely light for its size at just under 2 pounds, this speaker is great to take on the go. With an IPX7-rated waterproof design, you can have this thing an entire meter deep in water for up to 30 minutes.

The large volume buttons are only on the face while the rest of the speaker has a grill that wraps all the way around for a 360-degree sonic experience.

The integrated Bluetooth technology works within a 100-foot range, and the included micro-USB charges the device incredibly fast. Like the JBL Xtreme, don’t be fooled by the size.

This speaker delivers heart-pounding bass so you can party under the stars all night. Most speakers end up distorting at super high levels, though the MEGABOOM is known to stay very clean, even at its peak.

Going further than the
sound, this thing can be played for up to 20 hours before it needs to be
recharged.

Pro's

​Great sound and battery life

​Control with Alexa

​Pair multiple speakers

Con's

​Expensive

​Not much sub

Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 BrainFreeze Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker

The “boom” without the “mega”, IPX5 weatherproofing, and a sleek look with some cool color options, the BOOM 2 is ready to be brought to your local beach party. Built to stand strong against the harshness of the outdoors, the BOOM 2 is completely waterproof and dirtproof. ​

he Bluetooth allows you to play your music from up to 100 feet away before the sound glitches out. While we’re on sound, the dual performance radiators and dual passive drivers give you insanely powerful 360-degree sound.

Even with the powerful sound, you can listen for up to 15 hours before recharging with the included micro-USB. At just above one pound, it’s ultra-light and very easy to bring to the party.

Pro's

​Great volume and sound quality

​Sleek design

​Comes with iOS and android app

Con's

​Distorts when volume is peaked

​A bit pricey

JBL Charge 3 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

There’s no doubt that the guys over at JBL are speaker gurus. The JBL Charge 3 offers powerful and crystal-clear stereo sound. With dual passive radiators, you can truly get a solid amount of bass on this little guy. While not as loud as the Xtreme, you can still crank this speaker up to the max without any distortion.

The IPX7-rated Charge 3 can be put through nasty rain and spillage, and can even be submerged in water if you do so please.

Available in 5 solid colors, the Charge 3 can be played for up to 20 hours and can also take calls from your smartphone and the simple press of a button. As a little added feature, you can also access Siri or Google now.

Pro's

​Completely waterproof

​Can be paired with other speakers

​Loud volume

Con's

​Woofers are external

​No true wireless stereo

Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker II

Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Bose Soundlink Color Bluetooth Speaker II gives you about 8 hours of playtime before recharging.

The dual opposing passive radiators keep the speaker from shaking while still putting out insane sound. Courtesy of the app, you can switch between bose speakers, set auto off, control the volume, and see the battery life.

The silicon body and rounded surface makes for a soft and easy transportation, all while being just rugged enough to withstand the elements.

With a wireless range of 30 feet and compatibility with the Amazon Echo Dot, this is another great speaker from a trusted sound company.

Pro's

​Rich sound

​Water-resistant

​Comes with app

​Puncture and UV resistant

​Odor-proof

Con's

​Bass isn’t that great

​Flimsy USB

​BRAVEN BRV-X Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

There’s rugged, and then there’s the BRAVEN BRV-X Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, the tank of the beach speaker game.

Even without the 360-degree design that we see quite often, this speaker has a truly immersive HD audio quality. The twin, full-range drivers paired with the passive radiator make it a force to be reckoned with.

The design even looks tough; the reinforced aircraft grade aluminum grill and thermoplastic housing give the speaker outstanding durability. As for its waterproofing, the BRAVEN BRV-X is rated at an IPX7 and can be submerged in water.

Not only great for beach goers, but outdoorsmen and women in general, this speaker offers 12 hours of playtime before needing to be recharged. The included titanium tie-down bars give you the ability to loop a cord through it to hang.

​Highest Quality

BRAVEN BRV-XXL Large Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

Packed with quadruple audio drivers and a massive subwoofer, this beast of a speaker has an IPX5 rating to protect it against dirt, dust, water, and the butterfingers of the world.

The inclusion of EQ controls allow you adjust treble and bass with a few simple buttons, and it also comes with a universal mic port so you can spit some rhymes when the drinks get flowing.

The BRAVEN BRV-XXL gives you the ability to charge your smartphone with its wildly powerful 15,600mAH battery. Don’t worry about the part stopping early either, as this speaker is good for up to 14 hours of playtime before requiring a recharge.

Pro's

​Huge sound and frequency range with crystal-clear audio

​Onboard power

​Strap and handle to carry

Con's

​Pretty heavy

​Not the most portable

Altec Lansing Super LifeJacket Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

The sound quality of the Altec Lansing speaker is incredibly high quality with pounding bass and crisp treble.

It features two 2.5-inch sub woofers, 2-inch neodymium woofers, two 1.2-inch tweeters, and two 3-inch passive radiators, for a truly compelling outdoor sound. It features a solid battery, which gives you up to 50 hours of playing time to keep the party going day and night.

The Altec Lansing Lifejacket is built to be rugged with its aluminum exterior, outer jacket, and IP68 waterproof rating that can really take a beating. It is also fairly lightweight for the size and much more portable than the BRAVEN XXL.

Did
we also mention it floats? If you want a hardcore, high-quality speaker
that can be taken through sand, snow, and dirt, this is an excellent
choice.

Pro's

​Vocal activation

​Portable charger

​Shock proof

Con's

​Not many onboard controls

​High DSP

​UE BOOM 2 Meteor Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker

The UE BOOM 2 Meteor is another attractive speaker from Ultimate Ears. The speaker features a battery that can last up to 15 hours before a recharge and the range is a whopping 100 feet.

The 360-degree design gives you high quality sound with full bass from all directions, even with the portable size. The shockproof body can take a beating while the IPX-7 rating allows it to be submerged for 30 minutes without damage.

Additionally, you can connect this speaker with the Amazon Dot, Siri, or Google Now, for a hands-free experience.

Pro's

​Loud

​Can take a beating

​Doesn’t distort at high volume

Con's

​Battery not strong compared to others in the same range

​Pricey

Most Portable

UE ROLL 2 Reef Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This little guy, powered by one 2-inch driver and two ¾-inch tweeters, is surprisingly strong for the size. Rated at IPX-7, the speaker goes where you go, whether that’s running down the peach or out for a nice paddle.

The Bluetooth technology can support sound for up to 100 feet without dropping out; double the original UE Roll. The UE Roll 2 adds the ability to connect up to eight devices and stream from three rolls at once, all while giving you nine hours of playtime.

The most unique characteristic is the bungee cord that allows you to strap it to your bike, bag, or board.

Pro's

​Fully waterproof

​Great sound and bass for size

​Solid battery life

Con's

​Flimsy USB port

​Can’t skip songs from speaker

​Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Though not as light as the UE ROLL 2, this portable speaker adds a little weight to deliver 360-degree sound.

Even though it is small, the mobile range is 100 feet that retains super high quality sound. Though you might think the bass on this speaker would be weak, you’d be surprised to know that it will boom, even on a loud beach day.

You might also be surprised to know that it contains two 40mm active drivers and two 65mm passive radiators.

Not necessarily a rugged design, it will remain in tact in water, mud, dirt, or sand, with an IPX-7 rating. Even with the tiny battery, you can still get up to 10 hours of battery life before recharging.

​Photive Hydra Wireless Bluetooth Speakers

With a passive subwoofer and two 40mm drivers, an ultra rugged design, and a waterproof rating of IPX66, this bad boy is ready for the party.

The rubberized exterior and treated aluminum grill makes it the perfect match for the elements. The advanced Bluetooth technology is made to consume less energy, as well as deliver crystal clear sound.

Speaking of that crystal clear sound, the audio quality is absolutely jaw dropping for the size, with a great bass response.

While not the strongest in the world, the battery only offers up to 8 hours before needing a recharge. The ultra lightweight design makes up for that though.

Vtin 20W Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

With a clean yet rugged design, the Vtin 20W Bluetooth speaker plays for up to 30 hours in a single charge. Even though it only comes in one color, the Bluetooth connection is effortless and the IPX4 waterproofing is great for beach use.

At 1.5 pounds, the small size should not fool you. It offers great clarity in the mids and highs with a fairly loud sound. Unfortunately you can’t connect multiple speakers, though the one should be just enough to get solid, portable sound.

The side comes with a Carabiner connection so you can easily snap it onto your backpack or belt loop. Rated at IPX4, you can splash on this thing without a carry in the world.

Pro's

​Powerful sound output

​Durable and shock proof

Con's

​Not the greatest bass

​Buttons can be difficult to press

​What To Consider When Buying Speakers For The Beach

Sound Quality

Having great sound quality means having crisp and clear sound where all frequencies are given even attention. This also means that you should be able to turn the sound up without it distorting at high levels

Build Quality

You want the hardware of your speaker to be made with high quality components. This means the body and the electronics. You’ll want a sturdy speaker that can hold up.

Size

The speaker size will totally depend on your preference. If you want something that you can latch onto your back with and take with you, you might be sacrificing a bit of sound. If you want something with enormous bass and other extra features, you’ll probably want a bigger speaker.

Price

In most cases, you get what you pay for. The majority of Bluetooth speakers will not run over 300 dollars or below 40 dollars. You’ll typically spend more for better sound quality, as well as brand recognition. If you want one that will last you a long time with a great waterproof rating for the beach, you’ll definitely want to spend a bit more.

Floatable

Water Proof

Waterproofing is very important for a speaker, especially if you’re constantly taking it to the beach or to parties. The rating, which will show you just how waterproof the speaker is, is important to look at. We’ll discuss that a bit later in the article.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth technology makes it easy to connect a range of devices to stream from. Bluetooth is also great because you don’t sacrifice sound quality and you have a bit more range.

Sound Output

If you’re looking to have your speaker be heard at the beach or at loud parties, you’ll want to have a speaker with higher wattage. If you’re just looking for something to clip onto your pocket or bag for your own personal listening, a low wattage with smaller woofers or speakers will work.

Battery Life

Batteries on these speakers can last anywhere from 6 to 30 hours before needing a recharge. If you’re someone who is maybe camping for multiple days at a time without the ability to recharge, looking into a speaker with a long lasting battery is definitely worth it.

Durability

Some people might not need an ultra rugged speaker that can take a beating, especially if you’re just lying on the beach. For the avid camper, backpacker, or adventurer, having a durable dirt and weatherproof speaker might save you from constant worry.

Portability

Portability goes with size. If you want something you can easily pack up in the car or put into a small bag to take out on the sand, a lot of these speakers will work perfectly. Just remember, the smaller the speaker, the quieter the sound.

Design

Some people don’t really feel the need to have a speaker with aesthetic. Some of these speakers come in multiple colors while some only come in one. Some are a sleek, modern design while others are rugged. Design is totally a personal preference!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are IPX ratings?

To begin, IP stands for “ingress protection” or “international protection”. This is how much the inner workings of your gear stay protected from water or dust. A number is placed at the end (ie. IPX4 or IPX7) to give you a good idea of the type of waterproofing. The numbers can run anywhere from 0-8, where 0 gives no protection whatsoever, and 8 can last more than a meter deep for above 30 minutes and has total protection against dust (limits typically stated by the manufacturer).

Water Resistance vs. Waterproof

Water resistance means that a device can resist water, but isn’t completely protected from it. A device that is deemed water resistant should have the ability to stand humid weather or light rain. A device that is waterproof on the other hand, should be able to remain submerged in water for some time without breaking. Even if they are labeled waterproof, most devices have a limit to that underwater use though if that is not what they’re made for.

Does waterproof protection affect sound performance?

Nope! Waterproof shield are internal. If you’re waterproof devices gets water in it, these shield will push it back out. The only thing that happens is your sound might be a bit muffled until the water is fully flushed out of the speaker..

What is NFC pairing?

NFC pairing allows your speaker to instantly connect to your Bluetooth device without you having to manually pair. You have to have at least paired one time before your device will be recognized. NFC stands for “near field communication”, meaning for your speaker and device to pair, you’ll need to be close to it. This is a great feature if you don’t want to spend time pairing every time you want to play music

Our Verdict

If you’re looking for a great speaker to bring to the beach with you all summer, you’ll most likely want it to be loud, durable, waterproof, and portable. All in all, the JBL Charge 3 is our favorite pick.

It is completely waterproof, plays loudly with clear sound, can link up to other JBL speakers, can charge your device, is very portable, and comes at only half the price of some of our most expensive speakers on the list..

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